NorthDenverTribuneWatch!

Correspondent Ed Mickens on the Democratic National Convention and northwest Denver:

It doesn't matter which presidential candidate you support, or even what political party you adhere to--when 30,000 or more visitors and an international media carnival arrive in Denver in August for the Democratic National Convention, you'll notice. For those of us in northwest Denver, so close and tied-in to downtown, questions are beginning to arise. From the civic-minded: "What can I do to help?" From the practical: "What's going to happen to Speer Boulevard?" From the hedonists: "Where are the parties?"

From the cash-hungry: Can we start an armorers' collective? (!R6!8! website link, of course).

Anyway, there's going to be some kind of forum for north Denvertons, with DNC and host committee reps, a Denver City Council member, the cops, maybe even some entertainment. Reporter Mickens reports that citizens should:

Expect a good deal of calm reassurance. After the recent spate of publicity around planned demonstrations, disruptions and park permits, officials need to counter negative scenarios and public concerns. Rather than see you flee town that last week of August, organizers will encourage you to come downtown and join in the fun.

Also expect appeals to your civic pride. You'll be reminded it's been a century since Denver's had the chance to host a national political convention, that the whole world will be watching (oh, that was a flashback), and that each of us needs to do our part to make our distinguished guests feel welcome and to "ensure that Denver shines."

Who's Mickens quoting there, Blinky the Safety Clown? And what's with the "whole world is watching" bit? Is he trying to be funny? That will never do.

Update: EP of SP points out something I missed on the dncdisruption08 calendar:

DNC Community Forum sponsored by Councilman Rick Garcia - 6 - 7:30 pm at the Auditorium of North High School - 2960 N. Speer Blvd., Denver. This event is not an R-68 event. We will be skipping our working meeting on that date to have a vocal presences at this event. We will be urging the Democratic Host Committee to give up their permit they have for Civic Center Park to the people. Don’t allow a private organization to remove the free space for dissent from the people.

Somebody should tell Ed Mickens.